Tool holder



Nov. 9, 165

Filed Jan. 23,

C. A. WEN DEL TOOL HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.2

Nov. 9, 1965 Filed Jan. 25, 1964 C- A. WEN DEL TOOL HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 9

Clifford A. Wendel INVENTOR.

M4055 BY m, 3%

United States Patent 3,216,471 TGOL HQLDER Gifford A. Wendel, Libertadores 421, San Isidro, Lima, Peru Filed J an. 23, 1964, Ser. No. 339,765 9 (Ilaims. (Cl. 145-61) This invention relates to a manually usable holder for readily attachable and detachable hand tools (screwdrivers, files and rasps, drill bits, chisels and the like) embodying a shank which is capable of being gripped and thus secured to adaptable coupling and clamping means provided therefor in said holder.

Briefly, the improved holder comprises three principal component parts or units (1) an open-ended tubular barrel or handle having an axial bore suitably screwthreaded to accommodatingly receive cooperating screwthreads on (2) an end thrust clamping bolt screwed into said handle and (3) means at one end of the tool-handling barrel, whereby the shank of the tool can be oriented relative to units 1 and 2, friction-bound, and clampingly joined to said holder for use in conjunction therewith.

An objective, speaking generally, is to provide a toolshank receiving holding and clamping device which provides the user with an easy-to-use handle which is unique in that it has built-in time and labor-saving facilities which greatly assist the user and which have been adopted and, in fact, adapted to enable users to quickly and easily acquire the know-how needed for best possible results.

In carrying out the principles of the overall concept the handle-forming barrel is preferably, but not necessarily, cylindrical and is provided at one open end with diametrically opposite bearing holes in which rotatable end portions of the friction-binding and clamping means is journaled. To accommodate and permit application and removal of said means, a bayonet slot (or an equivalent slot) is provided in a side of the barrel midway between the bearing holes.

Another aspect of the inventive concept has to do with friction-gripping means wherein the median body portion thereof bridges the bore of the holding barrel, the end portions providing the desired journals and the median body portion having a shank hole therethrough which is aligned with a lengthwise axis of the barrel. This hole is preferably, but not necessarily, non-circular and edge and corner portions thereof when angled and canted relative to the surfaces of the tools shank are brought into play when said body portion is properly r-otated. The rotary motion and friction-clamping action is attained by an integral lateral lug which functions as a trip lever and which is forcibly acted on by the end thrust action of the screwthreaded part of the aforementioned bolt.

The invention also relies for novelty on a reliable leverage principle which achieves a mechanical advantage for a force which is applied by the thumb and the fingers on the end of the bolt. The construction is also such that it causes the end of the tool shank to be ressed telescopically and firmly into a socket provided therefor in an axial leading or thrust end of the bolt whereby when a heavy blow is applied to the striking face of the headed end of the bolt that force is transmitted directly to the working end of the tools shank without imposing undesirable stress and strain on the threads of the bolt.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative, but not restrictive, views of the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a tool holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which shows how the component parts or units are constructed and assembled and also how the shank of the tool (a screwdriver) is inserted and frictionally and clampingly held in a ready-to-use manner;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on the plane of the line 22 of FIGURE 1 looking in the direction of the arrows and wherein certain parts appear in section and other parts in elevation;

FIGURE 3 is a view based on and similar to FIG. 2 but showing only the lower end thereof and also illustrating the shank adapting, friction-gripping and clamping means and how the shank hole is canted in a manner to friction-bind the edges against surfaces of the shank whereby to thus provide the friction clutch result desired;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view wherein the three primary units or component parts are shown;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the median friction clutch portion of the friction binding and clamping means and which shows a tool shank having diametrically op posite fins or lugs thereon;

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective showing a fragmentary portion of a tool shank which may, if desired, be provided inwardly of the pointed end with keeper notches for the clamping means;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a different tool shank construction wherein the end portion is provided with reinforcing lugs (shown in use in FIG. 5);

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a tool shank having an intentionally curved bend or bent offset which can be used to advantage in a manner to cope with the strong torsional twist which sometimes has to be applied to the tool shank in order to handle a heavy duty job;

FIGURE 9 is a view in section and elevation and on a scale equal to that shown in FIGURES 2 and i3, and which illustrates how the holding barrel and binding screw can be used to accommodate a tool having a shank (a hammer head with shank, for example) and wherein the shank has its axis at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the holder instead of axially aligned (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3); and

FIGURE 10 is a view in perspective of the attachable and detachable hammer unit illustrated in FIGURE 9.

The expression hand tool herein used is intended to comprehend any one of the specific tools heretofore mentioned or any tool or implement which has a shank and a working blade, point or equivalent part at the outer or leading end. It will simplify the present description to regard the screwdriver 12 as exemplary of the manually usable tool under consideration. The outer or leading end (blade here) is denoted at 14 and the shank proper is designated at 16 and is shown terminating in a pointed rearward end 18. The shank may be circular in crosssection (ovate, non-circular, triangular, polygonal, etc.) as may be desired. Then, too, as suggested in FIG. 6 the tool shank 12A may embody the shank proper 16A and pointed end 18A. Inwardly of the pointed end keeper notches 20A and 21A are provided. The tool shank 12B at the right (FIG. 8) comprises a shank 16B, pointed end 18B and a crook or longitudinally disposed offset bend or bent portion 22. In FIG. 7 the tool 12C embodies the shank 16C, pointed end 18C and diametrically opposite outstanding coplanar sector-shaped lugs or fins 23. By having the portions 20A, 21A 22 and 23 on the shank the tool gripping and clamping result desired is invariably assured.

The elongated tubular barrel (FIGS. 1 to 4, inclusive) is denoted by the numeral 24 and it is of appropriate cross-sectional dimension and length and one open end (upper end in the drawing) is denoted by the numeral 26 and the other open end at 28. The end 28 is specially designed and constructed. The barrel will vary in shape, size and material in keeping with and dependent on manufacturing and commercializing requirements. The barrel shown is cylindrical, as at 36 and upwardly or inwardly of the end 28 diametrically opposite bearing holes 32 (FIG. 4) are provided. On the side 34 therebetween and extending lengthwise is a bayonet slot the long branch of which is denoted at 36 and the shorter branch at 38 affording communication with one of the bearing holes 32 and serving to facilitate insertion and removal of the beak-like lug 40 on the median part of the circular body portion 42 of the friction clutch or adapter unit 44 illustrated in particular at the bottom of FIG. 4. This part 42 is of a cross-section that the ends thereof are snug-fitted and constitute journals and are rotatable in the bearing holes 32. The axial passage or opening through the body is denoted at 46 and it is preferably, but not necessarily, polygonal (non-circular) as illustrated in FIG. 5. The gradually tapering axially aligned portions 48 constitute handgrips and terminate in ball-like heads 50. It is to be noted that the beak-like lugs is such in construction and design that it operates in and projects through the vertical part 36 of the aforementioned bayonet slot. Also, the upper lengthwise edge is curvate and constitutes a suitable cam 52. When the lug is in position it functions as a trip lever as is thought to be evident upon examining FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 in particular.

The third unit or component part comprises an end thrust bolt 54. This part could also be referred to as an end thrust screw or perhaps even as a jack screw. In any event it comprises a shank 56 which is of proper length and cross-section that the screwthreads 58 thereon are properly threaded in the coacting screwthreads 60 provided therefor on the interior constituting the threaded bore of the barrel 24. The bottom end 62 of the bolt is provided with an axial socket 64 whose terminal or bottom portion is of conical form as denoted at 66 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). When in use the shank 16 of the tool is passed through the accommodation hole 46 in the adapter 44, more particularly the rotatable body portion 42 and extends beyond said hole and into the socket 64 and has its conical end 18 in end thrust metal-to-metal engagement therewith. The enlarged head 68 of the bolt is suitably knurled or otherwise milled and has a top planar surface 70 which can be hammered upon (not illustrated) whenever necessary or desired. The head has a passage 72 therethrough to accommodate an insertable and removable handlebar 74 the projecting handle portions of which are denoted at '76.

With reference to FIGURE 2 it will be evident that the shank 16 of the tool 12 has been passed through the non-circular opening 46 with the pointed end 18 seated in the bottom of the socket 64. By holding the barrel 24 with one hand and screwing down on the threaded shank 56 of the bolt 54 the end portion of the bolt 62 (FIG. 2) has now come into contact with the cam-like edge 52 of the trippable lug or trip lever 40. It follows that by continuing to tighten the bolt in the screw-threaded bore the trip lever moves down in its slot 36 slightly and approximately to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 whereupon the edge portions 46A and 46B of the hole 46 are forcibly pressed against the cooperating surfaces of the tool shank 16. It follows that this canted position of the hole 46 causes the edges 46A and 46B to frictionally bind and clampingly grip the shank.

The coaction and cooperation of the component parts 24, 44 and 54 in particular, insures proper orientation and attains the leverage desired. Thus when the parts are in the relationship illustrated in FIG. 3 the shank of the tool is securely joined to the holder and the holder becomes an easy-to-use reliable handle. Turning of the clamping bolt 54 is assisted by the handling rod 74. The handlebars 48 also provide easy-to-use grips when the user finds it desirable to utilize the same. Also the'fact that the pointed end portion 18 of the shank 16 is seated in the socket means as illustrated at 64 and 66 in FIG. 2 causes the end of the tool shank to be pressed solidly into the socket so that a heavy blow can be applied against the striking face 70 of the head 68 whereby to transmit the striking forces of the blow directly through the holder and tool shank to the Working head or end 14 of said tool shank.

With respect now to FIG. 9 it will be seen that the tubular handle or barrel is distinguishably denoted by the numeral 80, the same being internally screw-threaded to accommodate the threads 82 of the upper accessible end of this clamping bolt 84. The bolt has an axial socket 36 to accommodate a lateral conical stud 88 on a median portion of the circular or equivalent shank 90 of an attachable and detachable tool 92. This tool comprises a hammer of the construction shown. The head of the hammer is denoted at 94 and the striking or impact surface or face is denoted at 96. The shank has its end portions fitted in the bearing holes 98 provided in the end portion 100 of the barrel. The slot in this instance is denoted at 102, and is employed to facilitate inserting the stud-equipped shank to assume the position illustrated in FIG. 9. It will be understood that this is an optional aspect of the invention and is employed to illustrate the versatility of the overall concept.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as. claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A holding handle for the shank of a readily attachable and detachable tool comprising, in combination, an open-ended barrel having a screw-threaded bore, a bolt having a screw-threaded shank the threads of which are screwed into the threads of said bore, said shank provided at one end with a shank turning and adjusting head, the other end of said shank having an axial tool shank receiving socket and a portion of said barrel projecting beyond the socketed end of the bolts shank and being provided with a pair of diametrically opposite bearing holes and an intervening communicating bayonet slot, a tool shank binding and clamping unit comprising a body portion spanning the bore of the barrel and having cylindrical end portions constituting journals, said journals being journaled for rotation in their respective bearing holes, a median portion of said body portion having a non-circular opening passing therethrough to permit passage of the tool shank whereby an end portion of the tools shank can be fitted and seated telescopically in the aforementioned axial socket, and said body portion being provided with a laterally projecting lug constituting a trip lever, said trip lever and extending outwardly through and beyond a cooperating portion of the bayonet lot, a terminal end portion of the shank of said bolt being operatively engageable with a cooperating lengthwise edge of said trip lever.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and wherein said body portion is provided at the respective ends thereof with a pair of outstanding handgrips, said handgrips being axially aligned with each other and projecting well beyond diametrically opposite sides of said barrel to ren der the same freely accessible and usable.

3. In combination, a tool, a screwdriver for example, having a rigid shank, a holder for said tool comprising a barrel constituting a handle for the shank of said tool and provided adjacent an end thereof with diametrically opposite bearing holes, a clutch unit having end journals mounted for operation in said bearing holes, said clutch unit provided with friction gripping means for releasably engaging and gripping the shank of said tool, a clamping bolt having a screw-threaded shank threaded into a screwthreaded bore provided therefor in said barrel and having a lower end adapted to be clampingly and retentively engaged with the shank of said tool, that end of the shank of said bolt adjacent said clutch unit being provided with an axial socket communicating with the adjacent open end of said barrel, the shank of said tool having an end portion fitting snugly and firmly into said socket whereby the shank of the bolt and shank of said tool are in positive engagement with each other.

4. The structure defined in claim 3, and wherein the upper end of the bolts shank is provided with a head having a manually usable handling means capable of turning the shank of the bolt relative to the threaded barrel and the bolt and barrel as a unit, said head having a flat striking surface which can be forcibly struck, if desired, by a hammer or a mallet.

5. The structure defined in claim 3, and wherein the journals of said clutch unit are diametrically opposite each other and are provided with axially aligned outstanding extensions fashioned into and providing balanced handgrips capable of assisting the user in handling the holder when the tool is being used.

6. In combination, a holder and handle for a hand tool, a screwdriver, for example, having a rigid shank which can be separably connected with a cooperating end portion of the holder, said holder comprising an elongated barrel open at its ends and with a portion of its bore screw-threaded, one end of said barrel being provided with diametrically opposite bearing holes and a portion of the side wall of said barrel between said bearing holes being provided with a bayonet slot one end portion of which is communicable with one of said bearing holes, and a shank clamping unit comprising a bolt having a head and a shank, said shank being screw-threaded and screwed into the screw-threaded bore of said barrel, said screw-threaded shank having a terminal end portion provided with an axial socket, a separable and connectible tool having a shank separate and distinct from the shank of the bolt and having a conically pointed terminal end portion fitting telescopically and retentively into said socket and, in combination, friction clutch unit embodying a body portion spanning the bore of said barrel and having end portions constituting journals, said journals being mounted for rotation in their respective bearing holes, having a tool shank passage extending therethrough and alignable with said socket, and further provided with a lateral integral lug projecting from said body portion through and beyond a coacting portion of said bayonet slot, said lug constituting a trip lever and an end portion of the shank of said bolt having end thrust engagement with an edge of said lug to accomplish the desired trip action.

7. The structure according to claim 6 and wherein said body portion is circular in cross-section and said toolshank passage is non-circular in shape.

8. The structure according to claim 6, and, in combination, said separable and connectible tool shank having diametrically opposite fiat sides and said flat sides being provided with longitudinally spaced keeper notches, said tool shank passage having opposed spaced parallel linearly straight edge portions and said edge portions being removaly seatable in said keeper notches.

9. In combination, a holding handle for a tool having a shank which is separably connectible with a cooperating end portion of the holder, said holder comprising an elongated barrel open at its ends and with a major portion of its internal bore screw-threaded, one end thereof being provided with diametrically opposite bearing holes and a portion of the side wall therebetween being provided with a bayonet slot one end portion of which is communicable with one of said bearing holes, and a shank clamping unit comprising a bolt having a head and a shank, said shank being screw-threaded and screwed into the screw-threaded bore of said barrel, said screwthreaded shank having a terminal end portion provided with an axial socket, and a separable and connectible tool having a shank at right angles to the axis of said barrel, said shank passing through said bearing holes and being provided intermediate its ends with a right angularly disposed lateral conical stud, said stud fitting telescopically into said socket and the adjacent end of said shank having end thrust engagement with said tool shank, in a manner to bind the latter securely in said bearing holes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/73 Curtner. 7/55 Poteet. 

1. A HOLDING HANDLE FOR THE SHANK OF A READILY ATTACHABLE AND DETECHABLE TOOL COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AN OPEN-ENDED BARREL HAVING A SCREW-THREADED BORE, A BOLT HAVING A SCREW-THREADED SHANK THE THREADS OF WHICH ARE SCREWED INTO THE THREADS OF SAID BORE, SAID SHANK PROVIDED AT ONE END WITH A SHANK TURNING AND AJUSTING HEAD, THE OTHER END OF SAID SHANK HAVING AN AXIAL TOOL SHANK RECEIVING SOCKET AND A PORTION OF SAID BARREL PROJECTING BEYOND THE SOCKETED END OF THE BOLT''S SHANK AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE BEARING HOLES AND AN INTERVENING COMMUNICATING BAYONET SLOT, A TOOL SHANK BINDING AND CLAMPING UNIT COMPRISING A BODY PORTION SPANNING THE BORE OF THE BARREL AND HAVING CYLINDRICAL END PORTIONS CONSTITUTING JOURNALS, SAID JOURNALS BEING JOURNALED FOR ROTATION IN THEIR RESPECTIVE BEARING HOLES, A MEDIAN PORTION OF SAID BODY PORTION HAVING A NON-CIRCULAR OPENING PASSING THERETHROUGH TO PERMIT PASSAGE OF THE TOOL SHANK WHEREBY AN END PORTION OF THE TOOL''S SHANK CAN BE FITTED AND SEATED TELESCOPICALLY IN THE AFOREMENTIONED AXIAL SOCKET, AND SAID BODY PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH A LATERALLY PROJECTING LUG CONSTITUTING A TRIP LEVER, SAID TRIP LEVER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THROUGH AND BEYOND A COOPERATING PORTION OF THE BAYONET SLOT, A TERMINAL END PORTION OF THE SHANK OF SAID BOLT BEING OPERATIVELY ENGAGEABLE WITH A COOPERATING LENGTHWISE EDGE OF SAID TRIP LEVER. 